Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol
The stage is set for an epic showdown. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is buzzing as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare to lock horns with Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2026 Final on Sunday, May 31. Ahead of this highly anticipated clash, RCB’s star batsman Devdutt Padikkal sat down for a quick-fire session that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. In a surprising turn of events, Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol, alongside legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.
The Shocking Snub: Skipping Over Virat Kohli
For several years, Devdutt Padikkal shared the Royal Challengers Bengaluru dressing room with modern Indian batting icon Virat Kohli. Given their time together on the field and Kohli’s monumental influence on young cricketers worldwide, many expected Padikkal to name the former RCB skipper as his ultimate inspiration. However, when asked about the player he looked up to while growing up during his childhood years, Padikkal took a different route.
Speaking in an interview on JioHotStar ahead of the summit clash in Ahmedabad, the elegant left-hander bypassed Kohli entirely. Instead, he chose to honor two other legends of Indian cricket who defined the country’s golden era of white-ball success.
When asked to share his cricket idol, Devdutt Padikkal admitted it was a difficult choice but remained firm in his selection: “That’s a tough question. There are a few, but I would say Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh.”
Why Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh?
While his choice raised quite a few eyebrows due to his close association with Kohli, looking at Padikkal’s style of play and cricket upbringing, the selection of Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh makes perfect sense. Both Gambhir and Yuvraj were instrumental in India’s historic triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian national team, was renowned for his grit, determination, and unmatched ability to deliver under immense pressure. His crucial knocks in major finals—such as his 75 in the 2007 T20 World Cup final and the unforgettable 97 in the 2011 ODI World Cup final—cemented his legacy as a big-match player. For a young left-handed opening batsman like Padikkal, Gambhir’s technical prowess and mental fortitude at the top of the order served as the perfect blueprint.
On the other hand, Yuvraj Singh brought flair, fearlessness, and explosive match-winning capabilities to the middle order. Yuvraj’s ability to turn a game on its head with both bat and ball made him a beloved figure for an entire generation of aspiring cricketers. The combination of Gambhir’s resilience and Yuvraj’s dominance clearly shaped Padikkal’s cricketing philosophy during his developmental years.
The Stories Behind Jersey 37 and the Nickname “DDP”
Beyond his childhood idols, Padikkal also shared some fascinating light-hearted details about his life off the pitch. Fans have long wondered about the significance of his jersey number, 37. As it turns out, the choice was guided by family and faith.
Padikkal revealed that the number was selected due to his mother’s belief in astrology. “I think it’s something to do with astrology. It’s my mom’s doing, so yeah, 37 is from there,” the RCB batter shared with a smile.
Additionally, Padikkal cleared up the origin of his famous moniker, “DDP.” The acronym is now widely used by fans, commentators, and his teammates alike. Padikkal gave credit to former New Zealand fast bowler and prominent commentator Simon Doull for popularizing the nickname. “I think my nickname right now that everyone talks about is DDP. And as far as I remember, it was Simon Doull who started it, so all credit,” he signed off.
Memorable Innings and a Love for the Flick Shot
During the quick-fire segment, Padikkal was also asked about his favorite cricket shot. Without much hesitation, the left-hander picked the classic “flick shot”—a stroke that has become a trademark of his elegant batting style.
When reflecting on the most memorable innings of his career so far, Padikkal pointed back to his sensational IPL century for RCB against the Rajasthan Royals in 2021. Playing at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Padikkal played a masterpiece of an innings, scoring an unbeaten 101 runs off just 52 balls. His explosive knock was laced with 11 boundaries and six massive sixes, guiding RCB to a dominant 10-wicket victory.
When asked about the coolest memory of his IPL career so far, Padikkal expressed that nothing beats the ultimate success: “winning the trophy and just lifting that trophy.”
An Unforgettable IPL 2026 Campaign for Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal’s reflections come in the midst of what has been the absolute best IPL season of his career. He has played a monumental role in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualify for the IPL final for the second consecutive season.
Throughout the 2026 season, Padikkal has showcased a completely revamped batting approach. Known earlier in his career for anchored innings, he has adopted a highly aggressive style, scoring at a much more rapid pace. In 15 matches this season, Padikkal has amassed 463 runs at a solid average of 35.62 and a breathtaking strike rate of 170.85. Along the way, he has notched up three half-centuries, with a top score of 61.
As RCB gears up to face the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Padikkal’s form and clarity of mind will be vital. While his comments about his childhood idols might have surprised some, his focus remains firmly on delivering another match-winning performance and lifting that coveted trophy once again.
